Wednesday, October 23, 2024 – Ways to improve rural Native voting access

Native America Calling

Nevada is the first state to extend electronic ballots to tribal members. It allows them to register and vote from their own homes, giving rural Native voters an alternative to traveling miles to their nearest polling or ballot drop-off site. It’s an idea that other states remain wary of. In Alaska, efforts to improve voting among Native voters remain elusive. Opposition from Republican state lawmakers killed a bill eliminating witness signatures on absentee ballots. On a conservative talk show, the Alaska House Speaker admitted she opposed it because it would have favored U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat and the only Alaska Native in Congress. Rep. Peltola calls it “a concerted effort to silence” Native votes. We’ll discuss progress and continuing hurdles for Native voters.

GUESTS

Mathilda Guerrero Miller (Kanaka Maoli), government relations director for Native Voters Alliance Nevada

Elveda Martinez (Walker River Paiute Tribe), voter rights activist

Michelle Sparck (Qissunamiut Tribe of Chevak), director of Get Out the Native Vote

Gabriel Di Chiara, Chief Deputy Secretary of State for Nevada

Break 1 Music: Keep Rising (song) House of Shem (artist) Keep Rising (album)

Break 2 Music: Grateful Sun (song) Mike Bern (artist)